Ashrafieh residents demand lifting siege, stopping violations

Residents of Bani Zeid in Ashrafieh issued a statement to the public, read by a member of the Bani Zeid commune, Omar Al-Bashi, in front of dozens of residents on one of the main streets of Bani Zeid. It stated:

"At a time when Syrians of all backgrounds look forward to peace and stability after many years of suffering and pain, scenarios of shelling and siege have returned to the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. Residents are subjected to unjustified attacks and violations by the transitional government in Syria and the factions under its authority."

The statement highlighted violations by the transitional government: "Despite the signing of an agreement between the General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the transitional government on April 1 of this year, the government has not fulfilled its responsibilities toward the residents of the two neighborhoods or ensured their safe movement across Aleppo."

It reviewed the government’s recent actions: "We have recently observed clear violations against civilians in the neighborhoods by armed factions, who have imposed a siege for 24 days on neighborhoods that have historically hosted various Syrian communities under the former Baathist regime, serving as a model for coexistence, dignity, and civil resistance. The current siege aims to break the will of a secure community committed to its freedom."

The statement stressed: "Despite the announcement of a comprehensive ceasefire last October, these violations continue at checkpoints surrounding Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid by rogue factions supported by the Turkish government, in clear breach of all agreements. They have also been raising dirt barriers around the neighborhoods to obstruct civilian movement."

The statement condemned the siege imposed by the transitional government: "As winter approaches, these factions continue to block access to the neighborhoods, preventing the entry of fuel, which exacerbates residents’ suffering, while continuing violations against civilians and arbitrary arrests. These actions are not isolated incidents but deliberate policies threatening residents’ lives and undermining any serious political path toward de-escalation."

The residents affirmed: "We are fully committed to protecting the neighborhoods and supporting internal security forces to ensure safety and stability in the area." They emphasized: "The transitional government must take responsibility toward the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid. These neighborhoods are an integral part of Aleppo and should now enjoy security and peace."

The statement called on the transitional government "to urgently lift the siege on the neighborhoods, allow entry of essential goods, fuel, and medicine, stop all forms of harassment and arbitrary arrests against civilians, remove all barriers, halt repeated attacks on checkpoints, and activate real oversight and accountability mechanisms to hold responsible parties accountable for these violations."

A-H 

ANHA